The episode begins with Shikamaru and Naruto in a dire spot. Tayuya is dominating the field with her flute, summoning three massive ogre-like creatures (Doki) and controlling them with precise musical notes.

If you thought Shikamaru Nara was just the "lazy" kid of the Hidden Leaf, Episode 122 just proved why he’s arguably the most dangerous ninja in a tactical fight. In , we see the Nara clan's signature brilliance pitted against the ruthless melody of Tayuya of the Sound Four. The Battle of Wits: Shikamaru vs. Tayuya

: He decodes the "flute language" by watching Tayuya’s fingers to predict her next move.